Scope Bacon was an April Fools' Day prank. But there was such huge response on social media from the YouTube and promotional campaign that the company isn't ruling out the real thing. Rishi Dhingra, marketing director for P&G's North American oral care division, said the the company is giving additional consideration to the product. Scope has five (real) flavors, and a new one will be unveiled in September.

Some companies are paying up to $10,000 per tweet for an endorsement from a high-profile celebrity. But a study by University of Colorado at Boulder shows what we already know: tying in with a celebrity is risky business. "The overall message to marketers is be careful, because all of us, celebrities or not, have positives and negatives to our personalities, and those negatives can easily transfer to a brand," says Margaret C. Campbell, an associate professor of marketing for University of Colorado at Boulder. Six examples at the jump. Yes, Tiger is one.

Lake Forest, Ill. officials say "Family, education, tradition and philanthropy" define the affluent North Shore suburb. That's central to a new marketing effort taken up by Lake Forest, with a similar project underway in nearby Lake Bluff. Lake Forest officials maintain their city already has a well-established image and that they don't have to hire a consultancy to make one up. City spokeswoman Susan Banks said they simply needed to do a better job of promoting it.

American Greetings Corp., which sells digital greeting cards and related products online, has reached a deal to be taken private by a buyout group owned by the Weiss family, which dominates top management of the company. The deal is valued at $878 million, including the e-retailer's debt obligations. The Weiss family includes the company's chairman, Morry Weiss, as well as his sons, Zev, the chief executive, and Jeffrey, the president and chief operating officer.

Walmart is cutting gasoline prices by up to 15 cents a gallon for drivers in 21 U.S. states who pay with its cards. The goal is to woo shoppers grappling with high prices at the pump. U.S. sales have slowed in 2013 at the world's biggest retailer as higher gasoline prices have pinched customers, along with higher U.S. payroll taxes and delayed income tax refunds.

Dunkin' Donuts partnered with its sister brand, Baskin-Robbins, to introduce two new flavors of iced coffee inspired by Baskin-Robbins ice cream. The new flavors, available through the summer are Dunkin' Donuts' Mint Chocolate Chip Iced Coffee and Old Fashioned Butter Pecan. Dunkin' Donuts is offering a Twitter sweepstakes through Friday, April 5. Each day, the brand will ask a new trivia question about either Baskin-Robbins or iced coffee.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' celebrity video introducing surprise guest Sandy Koufax was the best of MLB opening day marketing. New part-owner Magic Johnson recruited Koufax to throw out the first pitch of the Dodgers' 4-0 victory over the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants Monday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Dodgers started with a video showing an All-Star team of Los Angeles sports legends and Hollywood celebrities.

China's largest makers of "baijiu" liquor will see a slowdown this year after nearly a decade of growth because of a crackdown on lavish spending. Analysts say the clampdown will force baijiu producers to offer cheaper brands and buy up less-glitzy local players to get around the government ban. Despite healthy financial results for 2012, this year will be tougher, especially for industry leader Kweichow Moutai Co. Ltd.

With production of the new Lincoln MKZ finally approaching "launch levels" after a costly delay in the production of the critical new luxury sedan, parent Ford Motor Co. is studying just how extensive a re-launch will be needed to put the 2013 model back on the radar for potential buyers. The Lincoln MKZ was supposed to serve as the foundation for the revitalization of the long-struggling luxury brand.

Nordstrom wants to attract 20- and 30-somethings with more trendy, moderately priced clothing that better suits their spending habits. The company's 120 full-scale stores nationwide have revamped their "Savvy" clothing departments to align with a more affordable, ready-for-the-weekend vibe. The makeover builds on Nordstrom's move last year to sell edgy, cheaper clothes from British chain Topshop, signaling a desire to go down-market to accommodate smaller budgets.